Automatic tramway-switch.



No. 897,511. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1908.

E. L. ANDERSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAMWAYSWITGH.

APPLIGATIOK FILED FBB.17,.1908.

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E. L. ANDERSON. AUTOMATIC TRAMWAY SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.17, 1908.

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No. 897,511. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1908.

EL L. ANDERSON.

AUTOMATIC TRAMWAY SWITCH. Arruonmn FILED FEB, 17, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UaE i/ annex dot Emz'ZL. findens'on- Q vihwoao aflo'bmua EMIL L. ANDERSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC TRAMWAY-SWITGH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1, 1908.

Application filed February 17, 1908. Serial N 0. 416,219.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, EMIL L. ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic TramwaySwitches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic tramway switches, the object being to provide a switch which can be operated by the motorman from the car without stopping the car.

Another object of my invention is to provide very novel means for operating the switch, whereby a positive movement will be imparted to the switch point by the motorman simply pressing the rod.

Another object of my invention is to provide locking means in connection with the operating means, whereby the switch point will be locked in its adjusted position, the locking mechanism being operated in advance of the switch point throwing means.

Another object of my invention is to provide very novel operating mechanism adapted to be attached to the car for operating the switch operating means.

These objects are obtained by the novel arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter fully described and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a plan view showing the application of my improved switch in a closed position. Fig. 2, is a fragmentary plan view showing it in an open position. Fig. 3, is a section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, is a longitudinal section through the casing inclosing the switch and operating means, and a car showing the operating mechanism carried thereby. Fig. 5, is a longitudinal section view of a car showing the operating mechanism in an operative position, in en gage-merit with the tripping lever of the switch operating mechanism. Fig. 6, is a side elevation of a portion of the operating means. Fig. 7, is a perspective view of the operating lever detached. Fig. 8, is a perspective view of one of the operating disks detached. Fig. 9, is a perspective viewof the operating mechanism carried by the car detached, and, Fig. 10, is a side elevation partly broken away of the same showing it in an operative position. i

In the drawings 1, indicates the main line, 2 a line diverging therefrom, which are connected together by the fixed switch point 3,

and a pivoted switch point 4, which is pro vided with ears, between which is pivoted the upper end of a lever 5, which is connected at its lower end to a switch rod 6, which is connected at its free end to a clevis 7, connected to a crank 8, pivotally mounted on a stud 9, secured in one of the ties.

A clevis 10, is connected to the crank 8, be tween which is pivotally mounted one end of a'rod 1.1, which extends rearwardly, and is connected at its free end to a wrist pin 12, carried by a disk 13, which. is pivotally mounted on a stud pin 14, extending out from the plate 15, supported by casing 16, which is arranged between the main line and incloses the operating means.

The disk 13, is connected by a link 19 to a disk 17, mounted on a stud pin 18, carried by the plate 15, and the disks 13, and 17 are provided with lugs 20, and 21, adapted to be engaged by an operating rod 22, working through a guide bracket 23, extending outwardly from the plate 15, the upper end of the rod being connected to a tripping lever 24, which is provided with an extension 25, which extends up through an opening in the top of the casing into a longitudinal slot 26, formed in the top, which is provided with a diverging end 27, adapted to receive the operating roller carried by the operating mechanism, as will be hereinafter fully described.

The tripping lever 24, is held up in position by a coil spring 28, which surrounds a rod 29, working through a bracket 30, ex tending outwardly from the plate 15, whereby the tripping lever will be thrown back in position after it has been depressed. The disks 13, and 17, carry springs 31, and 32, working through guides 33, and 34, and provided with angled ends adapted to bear against the operating rod 22, whereby the rod will be first thrown into engagement with the lug 20, and then 2]., as the switch is thrown from one positon to the other, so that the rod 11, will be drawn backwardly when the lug 21, is engaged by the rod 22 and forced forwardly when the lug 20, is engaged by the rod so as to open and close the switch.

A notch is formed in the disk 17 through which extends a lug 35, extending outwardly from the plate 15, so as to limit the travel of the disk. The tripping lever 24, is provided with a hooked end 36, to which is pivotally connected a link 37, the free end of which is mounted on a wrist pin 38, of a disk 39,

which is mounted on a stud pin 40, extending outwardly from the plate 15, and is pro vided with a wrist pin 41, to which is connected a rod 42, extending forwardly in the casing, and having its free end connected to a clevis 43, pivotally mounted between the bifurcated end 44, of a locking lever 45, pivotally mounted on a stud. 46, extending upwardly from one of the ties.

The locking lever 45, is provided with a hooked end 46, adapted to extend trans versely across the switch rod 6, which is provided with an upwardly projecting lug 47, adapted to be engaged by the hooked end 46,

. so that the switch point will be locked in its adjusted position.

The operating rod 22 is of such length that when the arm 24 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, the operating rod 22 will not contact with either of the studs 20 or 21 and will only contact and engage with these studs when somewhat depressed. It will thus be seen that the first movement of the lever 24 acts through the disk 39 to unlock the.switch point, while further downward movement of the lever 24 brings the end of the operating arm 22 into contact with one or the other of the studs 20 or 21, thus the locking lever will be operated in advance of the switch point operating rod, so as to release the'switch before it is shifted. It will also be seen that as the tripping lever is forced downwardly, the point will be operated, and when released the spring will force it back into its normal position, and throw the locking lever across the path of the switch rod 6, so as to lock the same and prevent it from moving.

To enable the switch to be operated from the car without the necessity of stopping, I secure the operating mechanism shown in Figs. 9 and 10, to the bottom of the car-in the position shown in Fig. 1. This operating mechanism comprises a double bracket 50 attached to the bottom of the car and proj ecting downward therefrom between the two sections of which is pivotally mounted the arms 51 and 52. These arms are independent of each other and to an extent independently movable, but they are connected and yet held apart by coiled springs 53. The arm 52 is provided with downwardly projecting ears 54 between which is rotatably mounted the operating roller 55 adapted to travel in the slot 26 and engage the upper edge of the tripping lever 24.

Extending downwardly from the arm 51 and formed in one piece therewith is an arm 56 having an upwardly turned hook on its lower end. It will be seen that the arms 51 and 56 together form an angled lever whose pivotal point is at the rear end of the arm 51. The hook 57 normally receives and supports the free end of arm 52 and thus when the bar 56 is depressed and with it arm 51, the arm 52 is not depressed until the springs have sufficiently compressed. The arm 52 is however capable of being raised independently of the bar 56, against the force of the springs 53.

Attached to the outer side of the arm 51 is a flat spring 60 having a rounded head 60 at its free end which projects beyond the inside face of the arm 51 when in the position shown in Fig. 9. Carried against the outer face of the bar 56 and fastened at its lower end to the end of arm 52 is a bowed spring 59 which is outwardly curved at its ends and then bent parallel with the middle thereof, thus forming at its upper end a resilient outwardly wedging portion. The upper end of the spring 59 contacts with the inside of the free end of the spring 60 and the outwardly bent end normally forces or holds the spring 60 outward so that the head 60 j ect beyond the inside face of the arm 51.

The lower end of the spring 59 between its outwardly curved end and the face of the bar 56 receives and is attached to the free end of the bar 52, thus when the arm 51 is depressed it moves downward beyond the bent end of spring 59 and frees the spring 60, so that the spring may spring inward.

Pivoted to the inner face of the lower end of the bar 56 is one member 61 of a toggle lever whose other member 62 is pivoted to the floor of the car. As seen in Fig. 9, the link member 61 extends beyond the pivotal attachment to 62 and carries a hook portion 64 adapted to engage over a stop pin 63 on the inner face of the link 62. When the toggle is straightened as in Fig. 10, this pin'63 stops the upper end of the lever and prevents the toggle from moving beyond its straightened position. The straightening of the toggle lever forces downward the wheel-carrying arm 52 and holds it downward so long as the toggle is straight.

The springs 59 and 60 are for the purpose of holding the lever in its extended position. As the lever straightens, it forces downward the free end of the arm 51 through the depending bar 56. This carries the spring 60 vertically downward below the outwardly bent upper end of spring 59 allowing the spring 60 to force the head 60 inward until it will project beyond the inner face of the arm 51 in such position that it will engage over the link 61 when the link is moved to the position shown in Fig. 10. The depression of the arm 51 compresses the springs 53 and thus acts to force the arm 52 downward and bring the roller 55 into engagement with the switch operating mechanism. Upon the reverse movement of the toggle member 61 when the foot is raised and the spring arm 68 exerts its influence, the arm 61 will slip past the rounded head 60 raising the spring 60. This is accomplished of course by the inside of the head 60 being rounded so that when the chain 69 is loosened, the arm 61 ma easily push it back. Once past the head 60 does not pro-- the operation of the apparatus is exactly the reverse of the operation whereby the wheel 55 was depressed.

Pivotally mounted on the pivot pin 65, which connects the links 61 and 62, together, is a link 66, to one end of which is connected a chain 67, the free end of which is connected to a spring 68, for normally holding the o crating mechanism in position as shown in *ig. 9, and connected to the other end of the link 66, is a chain 69, which extends forwardly and is connected to a crank 70, mounted in a bracket 71, secured to the under side of the platform of the car.

A push rod 72, extends down through the opening formed in the platform, and is connected to the crank 70, and is surrounded by a coil spring 73, for drawing it back into its normal osition after it has been depressed. It will e seen that as the push rod is depressed, the chain will be drawn forward which will act to straighten the toggle levers 61 and 62, thus forcing the arms 51 and 52 downwardly. As the roller 55 engages in the slot 25 the switch operating mechanism will be actuated.

The operation of the switch mechanism is as follows:. The switch being in an open position as shown in Fig. 2, and the operating mechanism being in the position shown in Fig. 4, if it is desired to throw the switch point so as to leave the main line, the motorman pushes down on the push rod 72, which throws the roller down and locks the same as described, and as the roller travels in the slot and comes into engagement with the portion 25, of the tripping lever 24, the tripping lever will be depressed If the operating rod 22, is over the lug 21, the disk 13 will be rotated drawing the operating rod 11, backwardly and throwing the crank 8, and through the switch rod 6 and lever 5, throwing the point over into a closed positionas seen in Fig. 1, as has been before described, the rotation of the disk 13 acts to also rotate the disk 17 through the pull of the link 19 bringing the stud 20 upward into the position shown in Fig.6, moving the spring 31 away from contact with the operating arm 22 and causes the spring 32 to be moved into contact with arm 22, thus the arm 22 will be carried over into a position above the stud 20. It will of course be understood that immediatoly upon the disengagement of the roller 55 from the lever 24, the spring 28 acts to force the lever upwardly, thus raising the rod 22 into the position shown in Fig. 6. Be fore the switch is tripped and the operation above described has taken place, and because the switch is locked from movement, it becomes necessary to rotate the disk 39 in order to unlock the switch point. This as before described is accomplished by making the o crating arm 22 somewhat shorter than t e distance between the arm 24 and the studs 20 or 21, thus the first movement of the arm 24 actuates the disk 89 and through it the point locking device. As the tripping lever is forced downwardly the disk 39, is rotated, so as to draw the rod 42, rearwardly, which throws the hooked end of the locking lever 45, out of the path of the lug 47, of the switch rod 6, and when the tripping lever is released, the locking lever is drawn back into its original position, so as to lock the point in its adjuster position. It thus will be seen that when the next car comes along, if it is desired to continue on the main line, the operating mechanism is thrown into engagement with the tripping lever, which will close the switch.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided an automatic switch in which the point is locked in either position, and in which the mechanism is so arranged that actuation from a passing car will act to unlock the point and throw it from either position into the other.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever having means for returning it to its normal position immediately after its actuation, diamet rically opposed rotative members connected to move in the same direction, one of said members being connected to said switch point rod, and means for applying the depressive movement of the tripping lever to one or other of said disks alternately to move the switchpoint alternately in opposite directions.

2. In an automatic switch, a switchpoint, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever having means for returning it to its normal position immediately after its actuation, mechanism for throwing the switch point alternately from one position to the other by the depression of the tripping lever, mechanism for locking the switch point when thrown into either position, and means for unlocking the switch point prior to the movement of the switch throwing mechanism.

3. An automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever having means for returning it to its normal position immediately after its actuation, diametrically opposed rotative members connected to move in the same direction, one of said members being connected to the switch rod, means for alternately operating one or the other of said rotative members by the depression of the tripping lever, and a switch point locking mechanism operating to unlock the switch by the first movement of the tripping lever and to lock the switch at the end of the movement of the tripping lever.

4. In an automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever having a spring for returning it to its normal position immediately after its actuation, diametrically opposed rotative members connected to rotate in the same direction, one of said members being connected to the switch point rod, an operating bar attached to the tripping lever and adapted to engage with one or the other of said members to rotate the same, and springs attached to said members, said springs being alternately flexed by the movement of said members to throw the operating rod alternately into engagement with one or the other of said members.

5. In an automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever hav ing means for returning it to its normal posi tion immediately after its actuation, diametrically opposed rotative members connected to each other, one of said members being connected to the switch point rod, means for alternately operating one or the other of said members from the tripping lever, a switch point look, a rotative element connected to said switch point lock to operate the same, and means for rotating said element by the actuation of the tripping lever.

6. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, a crank for operating said switch rod, a rod for operating said crank, disks for operating said rod, a rod for operating said disks, a tripping lever connected to said operating rod, and means carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever,

7. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, a crank connected to said rod, a rod connected to said crank, disks connected together by a link, one of said disks being connected to said rod, an operating rod for operating said disks, a tripping lever connected to said operating rod, and a roller carried by a car for depressing said tripping lever.

8. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, of a pair of disks connected together by a link, lugs extending outwardly from said disks, an operating rod for engaging said lugs, a tripping lever connected to said rod, means connecting one of said disks to said switch rod, for reciprocating the same, and a roller carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever.

9. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, of a tripping lever, disks arranged under said tripping lever, provided with lugs, an operating rod carried by said tripping lever adapted to engage said lugs, means connected to one of said disks for reciprocating said switch rod, and means 1carried by the car for depressing said tripping ever.

10. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, a crank connected to said rod, disks connected together by a link, a rod connecting one of said disks to said crank, lugs projecting outwardly from said disks, a tripping lever, an operating rod carried by said lever, and means carried by the disks for throwing said rod into engagement with first one and then the other of said lugs when said tripping lever is depressed.

11. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod provided with a lug, a crank for operating said rod, means for operating said crank, a tripping lever carrying anoperating rod for operating said crank operating means, a link carried by said trip pin lever, a disk connected to said link, a locking lever normally held over said switch rod, and a rod connecting said disk to said locking lever, for the purpose described.

12. In an automatic switch, a casing adapted to be arranged between the rails of the main track and having a groove formed in the top thereof provided with an opening, a tripping lever mounted in said casing provided with a projection extending through said opening and adapted to be depressed by means carried on a car, a switch rod, means operated by said tripping lever for reciprocating said switch rod alternately from one position to another, a locking lug on said switch bar, and a locking lever the tooth of which is adapted to engage on one side or the other of the locking lug to unlock and lock the switch point on each actuation of the tripping lever.

13. In an automatic switch, aswitch point, a rod connected thereto, a tripping lever, means for returning the tripping lever to its normal position immediately after its actuation, mechanism for throwing the switch point alternately from one position to the other by a movement of the tripping lever in one direction, a locking lever having a tooth, a lug on the switch bar with which the tooth engages, and means for operating said lever to withdraw it from its locking position by a movement of the tripping lever in a direction to throw the switch and for returning the lever into a position wherein its tooth will engage with the locking lug upon every return of the tripping lever to its normal position.

14. In an automatic switch, the combination with a casing, of disks mounted vertically in said casing connected together by a link, a switch rod, means connected to one of said disks for operating said switch rod, a lever for locking said switch rod, a disk, a rod connecting said disk to said lever, and a tripping lever for operating said disks, for the purpose described.

15. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, of a pair of disks connected together by a link for operating said switch rod, lugs extending outwardly from said disks, a tripping lever, an operating rod carried by said tripping lever adapted to engage said lugs, means carried by said disks for shifting the position of said operating rod,

and means carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever.

16. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, of a pair of disks, means connected to one of said disks for operating said switch rod, a link connecting said disks, lugs projecting outwardly from said CllSl-IS, a tripping lever, an operating rod carried by said tripping lever, springs for shifting the position of said operating rod, and means carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever.

17. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, of a pair of disks provided with outwardly projecting lugs, a link connecting said disks, a spring actuated tripping lever, an operating rod carried by said lever for engaging said lugs, me ans carried by one of said disks for operating said switch 10d, and springs carried by said disks for shifting the position of said operating rod when said tripping lever has returned to its normal position after being depressed.

18. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod provided with a lug, of

a pair of disks connected together by a link, a locking lever normally held in the path of the lug of the switch rod, means connected to one of said disks for operating said switch rod, a tripping lever carrying an operating rod for operating said disks, and means operated by said tripping lever for operating said locking lever in advance of the movement of said switch rod.

19. In an automatic switch, the combination with a casing adapted to be arranged between the main rails and provided with a slot having an opening, of a spring actuated tripping lever provided with a projection eX- tending through said opening, disks mounted in said casing provided with lugs, a link connecting said disks, a switch rod, a crank for operating said rod, a rod connected to one of said disks for operating said crank, a locking lever, and means operated by said tripping lever for operating said disks, together with means for operating said locking lever in advance of the movement of the switch rod.

20. In an automatic switch, the combination with a switch rod, provided with a lug, of a locking lever normally held in the path of said lug, means for operating said switch rod, a tripping lever carrying an operating rod for operating said switch rod operating means, a disk, a rod connecting said disk to said locking lever, a link connecting said disk to said tripping lever, and means carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever, whereby said switch rod and locking lever will be operated.

21. In an automatic switch, the combination with a casing provided with a groove having an opening, of a spring actuated tripping lever provided with a projection extending up through said opening, a switch rod provided with a lug, an oscillating locking lever normally held in the ath of said lug, means for reciprocating said switch rod, means for oscillating said locking lever operated by said tripping lever, an operating'rod carried by said tripping lever for operating said switch rod operating means, and a spring actuated roller carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever.

22. A switch comprising a casing adapted to be arranged between the rails, having a groove provided with an opening, a spring actuated tripping lever provided with a projection extending into said opening, disks arranged under said tripping lever providedwith lugs, a link connecting said disks, an operating rod carried by said tripping lever for engaging said lugs, springs carried by said disks for shifting the position of said operating rod, a disk, a link connecting said disk to said tripping lever, a switch rod, acrank connected to said rod, a locking lever and rods connected to one of the first mentioned and the last mentioned disks for oscillating said crank, and locking lever, and operating mechanism carried by the car for depressing said tripping lever.

23. In an automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto, a casing located at a distance from the switch point and having an opening in its upper face, a trip ping lever pivoted within the casing for movement in a vertical lane, two diametrically opposed engagerI disks rotatably mounted within the casing, lugs projecting from said disks on the adjacent margins thereof, a depending operating bar pivoted to the tripping lever and supported with its free end adjacent to the said lugs, means mounted on the disks for yieldingly engaging the said operating bar to move it from one side to the other out of engagement with one lug and into engagement with the other upon the rotation of said disks, and a connection between one of said disks and the switch bar.

24. In an automatic switch, a switch point, and a switch rod connected thereto, a bell crank lever connected to said switch rod, a casing located at a distance from the switch point having an open upper face, a depressive tripping lever pivotally mounted in said casing beneath the open face thereof, diametrically opposed rotatively mounted disks within said casing, lugs projecting from the faces of said disks at their adjacent margins, stops for preventing the full rotation of said disks, a link connecting the disks so that they shall move in the same direction, an operating bar pivoted at its upper end to the tripping lever and having its lower free end adj acent to said lugs, springs attached to the face of each disk, the free ends of which engage with said operating bar whereby when the disks are rotated one of said s rings shall be moved away from said operating bar and the other into resilient engagement with said bar to move the bar from engagement with one lug to engagement with the other, and a connecting rod from one of said disks to the said bell-crank lever.

25. In an automatic switch, a switch point, a rod connected thereto and a bellcrank lever connected to the rod, a casing located at a distance from the switch oint having an open upper face,- a tripping ever pivoted within the casing beneath the opening thereof for movement in a vertical plane,

diametrically opposed disks rotatably mounted within the casing and connected to each other to move together in one direction, an operating bar pivoted to the tripping lever, the free lower end of said bar being adapted to have engagement alternately with one or the other of said disks on adjacent margins thereof, a connection between one of said disks and the bell-crank lever, a sprin for returning the tripping lever to its origina osition after being depressed, a rotatable ocking disk mounted in said casing adjacent to the end of the tripping lever and connected thereto so as to be rotated by the depression of the tripping lever, a locking lever pivoted adjacent to the switch rod and adapted to engage therewith to lock the same in both positions of the rod, and a connecting rod between said locking lever and the said looking disk whereby when the disk is rotated the locking lever shall be actuated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMIL L. ANDERSON. Witnesses:

R. H. KRENKEL, CHAs. E. PoTTs. 

